Cop Calls: Thefts Around Villa Balboa in Newport Beach

Newport Beach police recently responded to a handful of garage burglaries and thefts and are encouraging residents to take some extra precautions.

• Between Saturday, March 10 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, March 11 at 7:30 a.m., an unknown suspect cut a garage's padlock in the 200 block of Cagney Lane. Police say two sets of golf clubs, fishing equipment, a wet suit and more items were stolen.

• Between Saturday, March 10 at 8:15 p.m. and Sunday, March 11 at 8:45 p.m. an unknown suspect targeted a home in the 200 block of Nice Lane. Police say the suspect took a coat and watch from a lounge chair near the pool. The victim reported a U.S. Navy pea coat, navy blue in color and a Tag Heuer watch missing.

• Police say between Friday, Febrary 2 at 6 p.m. and Thursday, February 9 at 11 p.m. an unknown suspect cut a padlock on a garage in the 200 block of Nice Lane. The victim reported missing golf clubs and bag, spear gun, scuba fins, luggage and a GPS.

• Between Friday, Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. an unknown suspect removed a padlock from a garage in the 200 block of Paris Lane. Police say a padlock, laptop, wooden boxes, glass vase and a coin collection were stolen.

Safeguard Your Garage:

• Install a deadbolt lock in all doors leading from your garage to your home or outside.

• Use a vacation bolt or padlock in the garage door’s track, ¼ inch above the roller when the door is in a closed position. This will prevent the door from opening in the event someone has a garage door opener with your door’s frequency.

• Cover your garage windows with curtains or blinds to prevent a burglar from seeing what you keep in your garage.

• Lock bikes and other valuables to something stationary within the garage.

• It only takes seconds to remove property from an open garage, never leave your garage doors open even for short periods of time, when you are not present.

• Consider improving the lighting on your property, criminals like to work in the dark.

• Put your Neighborhood Watch to work. Make a strong commitment to knowing and watching out for each other.

Newport Beach police say if you arrive at your home and notice something out of place that leads you to think someone has been in your home while you were out, go to a safe location and call 911. If you notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call 949-644-3717 immediately.